Word processing on the move?

[jim]

I have a netbook at the moment, an old HP DM1, and am discovering that I need to do a lot of word processing on the move.

Problem is, the netbook doesn't really cut. Despite being small, it's still too bulky to use easily on the train, and the charger is also massive. On top of that, despite having an SSD, it's incredibly sluggish, which wastes yet more time.

I'm mulling over a tablet of some kind, but whilst I know a bit about specs, I'm not really all too sure what they would be like to use long term for this purpose. Is typing for an hour just a nightmare? Would Windows vs Android make a major difference? I already have an Android phone, which would make it the logical move.

Also, a decent keyboard would be a must - I've seen some really nice keyboards for the surface, but not sure how easy they actually are to use.

Anyone done something similar?

[scaryjim]

If you're really after productivity, I think a netbook or small laptop is always going to be the best option. I've had several different tablets, and none of them really cut it for extended productivity use - firing off a quick email or making a few changes to a document isn't too bad but long-term usage? Clunky and frustrating.

As you say, if you're going to be doing a lot of typing you need a decent keyboard. And if you look at tablets, that's going to mean getting something convertible, or lugging a separate keyboard around as well as the tablet - and you've lost the high portability aspect. Plus you're unlikely to find anything with a keyboard that's smaller than 10", which means it's not going to be any more portable than your netbook, and it's not going to be any less clunky to use on the train (seriously, the only way you can do actual work on a train is if you get a table, and at that point a 12"/13" laptop shouldn't be that much of a problem).

So really, the question is how much are you willing to spend, and how big would you consider too big? I loved my 10" Android tablet, but I found it wasn't actually that portable - I still had to chuck it in a bag, and carry an adapter. Once I got a 13" laptop, I stopped carrying the tablet: the tablet meant I had to carry a messenger bag anyway, and the lappy fitted in the same bag just as easily and was a much more useful device to carry around. Now I've got a 7" tablet it's much easier to carry, so it goes everywhere with me, but if I need to do proper productivity then I also take the laptop (either mine or my works one, which is 12").

My experience would suggest that any keyboard small enough to be portable (which I'd say is anything fitting in a < 10" chassis) will be uncomfortable to type on. And that there's little difference in portability between a 10" device and a 13" one. So I'd always choose a small laptop in those circumstances.

[AETAaAS]

Have to agree, it's going to be hard going down from the 11.6 inch which is your DM1. You're looking at something like a Asus Transformer (a used TF300T could be the value leader in this regard) but I have to say word processing functionality is simply not on par with a laptop. Tables, formatting and etc are often overlooked. Unless you plan to type the bulk of your document on a tablet then clean it up on your computer. For extended periods, touchscreen typing is absolutely a no-no for me on tablets, which means getting a separate keyboard and hence, additional bulk anyway.

I don't know what OS you are running but a lightweight system could really transform your laptop (LUbuntu [lightwieght Ubuntu] could be a way to go).

[Biscuit]

NI have a Lenovo X121e which is basically the same laptop as the DM1. I have tried Mint Linux, I liked it and it did improve the experience of the machine, but I was forced to go back to Windows for various boring reasons. I threw Windows 8.1 on there instead of 7 and the performance seems to be a lot better, might be the fresh wipe and install that helped but it's certainly loads better now.
As per other people's comments, I wouldn't go for anything like an android tablet for serious word editing. Aside from other people's comments, the word processing software just isn't as good on the platform. You can do it certainly, but it sounds like something you will be doing a lot, so the frustration will likely overcome any convenience gained from saving a couple of inches/pounds.

I also carry a 7 inch nexus around which I do the occasional bit of excel and word on. It's ok and it works but I'm taking tweaking existing documents, I couldn't do serious creation on it I don't think.

Maybe I'm just using the wrong office software?

What about the surface? You could speak to the animus about his, he certainly rates it for this kind of circumstance.
There is a lot of new devices coming out at the moment and portability seems to be the key thing they are all going for so if you are prepared to spend I'm sure you can find something more appropriate.

[jim]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

It's not the cheap option, but given the comments about keyboards, I was considering the MS Surface with the Type Cover. At least then it's a genuine keyboard, although I take the point about the office software. I don't like using Google Drive much on my phone, although you'd hope MS Office was decent.

My DM1 is 29*20.5*3 and 1.5kg vs Surface at 38*21*5 and 0.68kg - so the surface is a heck of a lot lighter, as you would expect, although surprisingly a fair bit bigger.

One option, I suppose, would be to look at changing the laptop - I bought it just over 3 years ago and the 1.2 GHz Celeron was pretty rubbish even then. And if the Surface winds up around £400, then that's easily enough cash for a new netbook, like the Asus S200 or an Ideapad/similar. Not sure I'd want to spend much more than that, really. The most it's likely to be used for is as a web browsing/video playing machine when I'm away with work. Although the Samsung quad-core looks really lovely.

I have put Windows 8 on the DM1, which helped a bit, but it's still a bit sluggish.

[rfu3]

Surely a 10" netbook if its just for MS Word? They run for around 9 hours on a single charge.

[dave87]

Ultrabook - I've used one at work and they weigh virtually nothing, are more powerful than a netbook and just, well, work.

Downside is the new ones have to have touchscreens or something to get the ultrabook branding which (for me) no use whatsoever, and something I'll end up paying for and not using. Second hand, or one of the existing models could be a good choice though.

[scaryjim]

What's the hardware in the DM1? Until recently my main laptop was a 1.3GHz Pentium Dual Core (one of the old Core 2 ones) and it was *very* responsive with Win 7 and an SSD. That suggests to me that there's either something up with the DM1 itself, or with the SSD you've got in it...

[jim]

Celeron Dual Core, 1.2GHz and one of the early Kingston SSDs, 64GB SSDNow V. To be fair to it, I have used worse.

I've used it so rarely over the years that I've never really looked into it, just accepted that it wasn't great.

[Biscuit]

Celeron Dual Core, 1.2GHz and one of the early Kingston SSDs, 64GB SSDNow V. To be fair to it, I have used worse.

I've used it so rarely over the years that I've never really looked into it, just accepted that it wasn't great.

I had assumed it was the E450 variant! Not a huge amount between them i wouldn't have thought.

What about a slider style tablet/ultrabook like the Viao duo?



Not cheap but could be ideal for the purpose?

[jimbouk]

Downside is the new ones have to have touchscreens or something to get the ultrabook branding which (for me) no use whatsoever, and something I'll end up paying for and not using. Second hand, or one of the existing models could be a good choice though.

Dell refurb would get you the previous generation for a reasonable price and without the worries of the true second hand goods.